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UTAH STATE PRISON — A man who was 15 when he stabbed his 14-year-old friend 39 times, killing him, during a sleepover will be released from prison in May.
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole has granted a parole date for Brookes Colby Shumway on May 24.
Shumway, now 31, was convicted of manslaughter for stabbing his friend, Christopher Ray, with a kitchen knife multiple times on Jan. 23, 2000, following a night of playing video games.
During a parole hearing earlier this month, Shumway admitted for the first time that he and Christopher had previously kissed, but that he was confused about his feelings for his friend and on that night became angry at his friend's sexual advances.
Shumway was tried as an adult and convicted at age 16. He was sentenced to five years to life for burglary, and one to 15 years for manslaughter. The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively.
Shumway has served seven years longer than current sentencing guidelines call for, according to the board.
During his most recent parole hearing, Shumway said he still had strong family support waiting for him when he got out of prison. He also completed his GED and a few college courses while in prison.
Shumway said he was bullied for most of his life and would like to help other teens by speaking at schools about how to handle such treatment.
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